Gas Cooking & Air QualityKitchen Pollution Guide 2026
8 million UK homes cook with gas. Studies show gas stoves create NO2 levels that frequently exceed outdoor safety limits.
Gas Cooking Pollution Research
What Gas Cooking Releases
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Gas combustion produces NO2, a respiratory irritant linked to asthma. Levels can exceed outdoor limits within minutes of turning on a gas hob.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Incomplete combustion produces CO, which reduces oxygen delivery to tissues. Low-level chronic exposure causes fatigue and headaches.
Fine Particles (PM2.5)
All cooking produces particles from food, oils, and combustion. Gas cooking adds extra PM2.5 from gas burning itself.
Formaldehyde
Gas combustion releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Levels in kitchens can exceed workplace exposure limits.
Reduce Indoor Pollution
Our MERV-13 air purifiers capture pollutants from indoor sources. Lab-tested and whisper-quiet.
How to Reduce Gas Cooking Pollution
1. Use an Extractor Hood That Vents Outside
Recirculating hoods don't remove NO2 or CO. Ensure your extractor vents to the outside and use it every time you cook.
2. Add a Kitchen Air Purifier
A HEPA air purifier with activated carbon captures PM2.5 and some gases. Run it before, during, and after cooking.
3. Open Windows for Cross-Ventilation
When outdoor air is clean, open windows on opposite sides of the kitchen to create airflow that clears pollutants quickly.
4. Consider Switching to Induction
Induction cooktops eliminate gas combustion pollutants entirely. The energy efficiency often makes them cost-competitive with gas.
Free: Indoor Air Quality Guide
Learn how to identify and eliminate indoor pollution sources. Room-by-room checklist included.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cooking with gas bad for health?
Gas cooking releases NO2, CO, and PM2.5 directly into your home. Studies show homes with gas stoves have 50-400% higher NO2 levels than those with electric. This is associated with 12% higher asthma risk in children.
How much pollution does a gas stove produce?
A gas stove can produce NO2 levels exceeding 200 ppb within minutes—well above the WHO's 1-hour limit of 106 ppb. PM2.5 from cooking can reach 300-500 µg/m³, compared to the outdoor limit of 25 µg/m³.
Do extractor fans remove gas cooking pollution?
Extractor fans help but often capture only 25-50% of emissions. Many UK kitchens have recirculating hoods that don't vent outside. For best results, combine a vented extractor hood with a HEPA air purifier.
Should I switch from gas to electric?
Electric and induction cooktops eliminate gas combustion pollutants (NO2, CO). However, all cooking produces PM2.5 from food particles. Induction is the cleanest option for kitchen air quality.
Does opening a window help with cooking pollution?
Yes, opening windows improves ventilation, but the effect depends on wind direction and outdoor air quality. Cross-ventilation (windows on opposite sides) is most effective. Consider outdoor air quality before opening windows.
Clean Your Kitchen Air
HEPA + activated carbon purifiers capture cooking particles and gases.
Shop Kitchen Purifiers →